"The most influential midfielder in England bar none" – Sir Alex Ferguson
"His development has been incredible. He can do everything" – Sven-Goran Eriksson
"He has upped his level this season and is now approaching world class" – Gerard Houllier

What a season it has been for Steven Gerrard.

He was made captain of Liverpool, led England in David Beckham’s absence against Sweden and became a father for the first time.

He was the only player outsidethe Premiership’s top three to be voted in the PFA all-star team by his fellow professionals.

And now we can reveal him as TheFA.com Lion of the Season based on the number of weekly awards won during 2003/04.

Gerrard has developed this season into the ultimate all-round midfield player.

Besides winning tackles and leading his team by example, he also makes and scores goals.

The 23-year-old has won his Lion of the Season honour following a contest that lasted nine months and saw 24 different England players - from the seniors to under-18s – earn nominations.

Since August, TheFA.com has named its Lion of the Weekend every Monday.

By receiving most weekly awards, Stevie won the overall title and will collect his trophy at the City of Manchester Stadium ahead of England’s match against Japan on 1st June.

Competition was fierce throughout with Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes emerging as Gerrard’s closest rivals.

Lampard struck first by leading Chelsea to a victory against Liverpool at Anfield while Scholes enjoyed a purple patch during the autumn for Manchester United.

With David Beckham enjoying a good start to the campaign with Real Madrid and James Beattie scoring regularly, Gerrard picked up his first Lion of the Weekend award with a stirring performance in the crucial 0-0 draw in Turkey which booked our Euro 2004 place.

Since the turn of the year, the Liverpool midfielder really started motoring and overtook all his ‘rivals’.

He was inspirational in Liverpool’s FA Cup win against Newcastle in January, setting up the winner for Bruno Cheyrou. His right-foot volley at Bolton in February earned Liverpool a point and earned him a third nomination.

As we reached the business end of the season, Gerrard just got stronger and stronger. Many Liverpool fans would site him as the reason they finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League.

In the last fortnight of the season, he destroyed Birmingham – scoring in a 3-0 victory – and was brilliant as Gerard Houllier's side drew with Newcastle in the final match of the season.

Overall, we had 24 winners in 41 weeks (Aston Villa brothers Stefan and Luke Moore shared one weekend).

2003/04 Lion of the Season
(based on number of weekly nominations)

Steven Gerrard 5

Frank Lampard 4
Paul Scholes 4

Wayne Rooney 3

James Beattie 2
David Beckham 2
Jermain Defoe 2
Michael Owen 2
John Terry 2
Shaun Wright-Phillips 2

Shola Ameobi 1
Dean Ashton 1
Kieron Dyer 1
Anthony Gardner 1
Emile Heskey 1
David James 1
Glen Johnson 1
James Milner 1
Stefan Moore 1
Luke Moore 1
Kevin Nolan 1
Jermaine Pennant 1
Darius Vassell 1
Jonathan Woodgate 1